Getting ActiveSync to Work

One of the most common questions the staff at MicroSurvey answer is "My ActiveSync stopped working. How do I get it go again?".

We would like to clear up a little confusion about ActiveSync. Some of customers are not aware that ActiveSync is manufactured by Microsoft.

Although we use it to transfer files between the data collector and your Windows PC, we do not make ActiveSync. You can download ActiveSync from Microsoft's web site at this link.

Note that it is quite likely that Microsoft will change this link, so if it does not work, please go to Microsoft.com -> Downloads -> Mobile Devices, and you should see the latest version of ActiveSync as one of the most popular downloads.

Here are a few tricks that we use with ActiveSync:

• Sometimes you need to reset the device to get ActiveSync to connect.
• Sometimes you have to re-install ActiveSync. This somehow "refreshes" the installation and it will magically start to work again.
• Occasionally if ActiveSync will not work, you need to re-install FieldGenius. There are some registry entries on the Pocket PC that are cleaned up with a re-install.
• With some devices, the first connection with a PC can be a bit stubborn. We have found with the Juniper Allegro that running PC-Link immediately after starting the "Get Connected" routine on the desktop computer will work. Once the connection is made the first time, it seems to be fine.

We will add to this document as new ideas and tricks come to our attention.